Blackburn Rovers were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening but can draw on some positives after their 2-0 reverse at Premier League Chelsea.
A goal in each half sealed the tie, but it could’ve been different if a huge legitimate appeal for a penalty was turned away. Callum Brittain’s cross was met by the hand of Conor Gallagher, and this was compounded when Harry Leonard spurned a great chance to level shortly after the half-time interval.
Manager Jon Dahl Tomasson saw enough in his side that on another day they could’ve had more from the game, but against top-level opponents always knew the game would be tough.
Cup Disappointment
Talking to Rovers TV after the game, he said. “I think the boys did excellent against one of the best sides, with a lot of good players, not only in England but in Europe. But we are still disappointed to be out of the cup.
“I wanted more. The fans wanted more. It was amazing to see more than 3,000 fans cheering for Rovers during the whole game and also afterwards. I think they were satisfied with what they saw but also disappointed with the result.”
Where the big decisions and moments did not go their way, it was the manner in which they stayed competitive that pleased Tomasson.
“I thought we kept Chelsea away from a lot of chances, especially in the first half. We were disappointed to concede the way we conceded a goal, from a set-piece. We should probably have had a penalty in the first half. Moments change games. Goals change games. And then we had a very big chance at the beginning of the second half. An excellent ball in behind and a great run and it could have been a good goal.”
🗣️ "𝙄'𝙢 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙥𝙡𝙖𝙮𝙚𝙧𝙨."
Jon Dahl Tomasson reflects on tonight's game.#CHEvROV | #Rovers 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/2z49K3h4jM
— Blackburn Rovers (@Rovers) November 2, 2023
“During the second half, we got more tired and Chelsea got more chances, which is normal because we are playing against very good players, who are used to playing on a different level – a higher level. But I’m proud of my players. I’m proud of this team. I think it’s been an excellent cup run this season as well. We would have loved to do more, especially to make that magic moment with our fans again, but now we need to do it in the FA Cup instead.”
Writer’s View
Blackburn Rovers are still trying to find any consistency this season. A good Cup run can sometimes lift teams out of bad run of form, but this tie showed that if it is not your night, the game slips away from you. Now with the cliché of having the league to concentrate on, the FA Cup could be used as a springboard when they enter that competition at the turn of the year.
